AHEPA Service Dogs for Warriors Program Announces New Partnership

 

AHEPA E-News Volume 15, Issue 33 | Wednesday, October 20, 2021 AHEPA Service Dogs for Warriors Program Announces New Partnership AHEPA Service Dogs for Warriors program is pleased to announce a new partnership with America’s VetDogs. Through America's VetDogs, several dogs are in training to become service dogs for veterans who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). At 16 weeks old, puppies like "Penny AHEPA" (pictured), will begin learning commands and interacting with the world. Established in 2003, America's VetDogs specializes placing highly-skilled service and guide dogs to individuals with physical injuries, PTSD, hearing and vision loss, and seizures. America's Vetdogs trained the late former U.S. President George H.W. Bush's service dog, Sully H.W. Bush. To date, the AHEPA Service Dogs for Warriors program has raised $750,000 to sponsor 51 service dogs. The AHEPA Service Dogs for Warriors program aims to help veterans end the tragedy of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Due to PTSD, 22 veterans every single day die by suicide. Further, according to the Veterans Administration Department, there are currently over one million veterans under treatment for mental health illness and who are at risk. The program has enjoyed the support of the AHEPA family as well as outside organizations, such as the American Legion. Visit www.ahepa-servicedogs.org for more information  Latest Enhancements to U.S.-Greece Relationship Praised AHEPA praised actions taken to deepen relations between the United States and Greece, two longstanding NATO allies, during the visit of Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias to Washington last week, announced Supreme President Jimmy Kokotas. “We commend the two governments on the signing of a Protocol of Amendment to the U.S.-Greece Mutual Defense Cooperation Agreement," Kokotas said. "It is a substantial act that will advance security and stability in the region over a sustained period of time and brings defense cooperation to another heightened level. Moreover, the successful holding of a third Strategic Dialogue yielded fruitful and productive results across important facets of the bilateral relationship, including People-to-People Ties. These noteworthy achievements are the culmination of the hard work of dedicated diplomats serving past and current administrations of each country.” read more (Pictured: Foreign Minister Dendias and Supreme President Kokotas exchange greetings at a reception.) AHEPA Hellenic Cultural Commission Chair Honored Delphi Chapter 25, Manhattan, N.Y. held a Gala Dinner in honor of AHEPA National Cultural Commission Chairman, Past Empire District 6 Governor, and Past Chapter 25 President Lou Katsos for his decades of service to the Order and the American Hellenic community of the greater New York City area, Oct. 13, 2021. His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America delivered remarks. Former Deputy Foreign Minister for Greeks Abroad and Member of Hellenic Parliament Konstantinos Vlasis, Consul General of Greece in New York Dr. Konstantinos Koutras, and Consul General of Cyprus in New York Michalis Firillas, also addressed the audience. Chapter 25 President Ted Klingos served as Master of Ceremonies. Several dignitaries were in attendance. read more from The National Herald (Pictured L-R: Klingos, Archbishop Elpidophoros, and Katsos. Photo credit: TNH/Zafeiris Haitidis) ICYMI | AHEPA National Educational Foundation Announces Scholarship Recipients The AHEPA National Educational Foundation announced 24 recipients of its 2021-22 scholarship awards as well as the recipient of the “Chariclea Christodulakis-Cummins Charity Fund Scholarship,” which the Foundation administers. list of scholarship awardees AHEPA Responds to Call to Action, Opens Emergency Relief Fund Shortly after concluding business at our Athens Supreme Convention, an onslaught of wildfires devastated Greece. Supreme President Jimmy Kokotas immediately opened the Emergency Relief Fund and called on Ahepans from across the globe to mobilize. As they have in the past, Ahepans heeded the call and stepped up to assist in any way possible. As monetary donations continue to pour in, Ahepans also have volunteered their time and resources by donating bottles of water or by contributing to actual fire relief. Stateside, Hurricane Ida came barreling through the Gulf, leaving devastation in her wake in Louisiana and causing severe flooding and tornado damage in the mid-Atlantic up to parts of New England. AHEPA is working with the District 16 AHEPA family to determine how we can assist those affected by the hurricane to help them recover as quickly as possible. Click Here to make a tax-deductible Donation to the AHEPA Emergency Fund Upcoming Events & Deadlines October 24 | 45th Congressional Banquet in honor of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, Washington, DC November 1 | Deadline: Winter 2021-22 The Ahepan 8-12 | AHEPA Golf Tournament, Daytona Beach, Fla. (For more information, contact Supreme Athletic Director, Chris Atsaves.) 20 | Testimonial Dinner for PSP George G. Horiates, Philadelphia, 6 p.m. The Franklin Institute, 222 N. 20th Street, Philadelphia, PA (Proceeds to benefit the AHEPA Capital Campaign Fund. Contact 856.986.8972 for information.) Greek American News Digest  Editor's Note: Editorials, commentaries, opinion pieces, and articles are shared for information purposes only and do not necessarily reflect the views or policy positions of the Order of AHEPA, its affiliated organizations, and members Greece, US expand defense pact in face of Turkey tensions Associated Press (Oct. 14) The United States and Greece signed a deal Thursday expanding their defense cooperation agreement to grant U.S. forces broader use of Greek bases, as that nation deals with tensions between it and neighboring Turkey. read more U.S. to Allow Greek, Other Vaccinated Travelers to Visit Beginning Nov. 8 The Pappas Post (Oct. 18) The United States will lift border restrictions for fully vaccinated travelers from Greece and all foreign countries on November 8, according to an announcement from the White House on Friday. read more Piraeus port deal intensifies Greece’s unease over China links Financial Times (Oct. 19) Beijing cements control of key EU infrastructure but locals say they have not seen the investment they expected. read more Greek revival: how Corfu’s 14th-century ghost village came back to life The Guardian (Oct. 17) Old Perithia was abandoned by its inhabitants in the 1960s. Now they are back, thanks to a unique project that has turned it into a spellbinding attraction. read more The Greek region too remote for maps BBC (Oct. 18) In medieval times this region was so inaccessible that it was literally "agrafa" (unwritten) – imbuing its inhabitants with a wild and independent streak that continues to this day. read more Book Review | All Greek to Us The Spectator (Oct. 16) We are traveling through a shower of Greek anniversaries, triumphant and calamitous. Last year marked the 25th centenary of the Battle of Salamis in 480 BC, when 300 Greek warships defeated a Persian armada four times larger and ended the Persian empire’s expansion into Europe. This year marks the bicentenary of the beginning of the Greek War of Independence from the Ottoman empire in 1821, which resulted in the first European nation-state to be founded on the Enlightenment values of the American Constitution. read more Celebrating 100 Years of Brotherhood

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